The world today won’t survive without the massive industry called freight forwarding. It involves the international transport of products and cargo for both businesses and consumers. Freight forwarders are the ones that handle the shipment. Once the cargo is in their hands, they make sure that it can reach its intended destination within the prescribed date.
Numerous carriers provide freight services. They are available in road freight, ocean freight, and air freight. Meanwhile, there are carrier companies that offer railway freight to their clients.
The actual process of freight forwarding is seemingly overwhelming, especially if you aren’t familiar with it. That’s why it is important that you have to understand the fundamentals of freight forwarding. The facts below will give you a good start.
What is A Freight Forwarding Company?
Technically speaking, a freight forwarding company is an entity that manages the transport of cargo from the point of origin to various destinations. This company oversees the shipping process on behalf of their clients, from the storage of their products up to the actual shipping.
One could say that a freight forwarder acts as an intermediary or a middleman between the shippers and transport service providers. It also cooperates with different carriers for price negotiation, as well as makes a compromise for the most reliable and safest route for shipping.
Freight Forwarders Provide Convenience in Import and Export
Exporting and importing goods can be a cumbersome process, especially if you don’t have a reliable freight forwarder with you. By all means, these freight forwarders ensure that you can transport your products safely and conveniently.
Keep in mind that importing and exporting requires a lot of paperwork and understanding of the supply chain. With freight forwarders, you will be able to navigate your way across these difficulties. They can handle the packing and warehousing of your products. At the same time, they can also manage all the matters related to customs on your behalf. In that way, you don’t have to worry much about anything.
Freight Forwarding Companies Offer a Plethora of Services
As mentioned, freight forwarders will be able to assist you throughout the supply chain process. As long as you have hired a reputable freight forwarder, they can aid you in the following processes:
- Storage
- Packing
- Inventory management
- Documentation of international import and export
- Customs clearance and regulation
- Insurance
Your Business May Benefit from Freight Forwarders
If your company involves the shipment of products to other consumers and businesses, then it is important that you can work with a reputable freight forwarding company. They have the essential knowledge and expertise that would guarantee the safe and timely arrival of your goods to their specified destination. It will help your business grow and earn a reputation across the supply chain.
For instance, if you want to ship from China to UK, you would benefit from the services of freight forwarders. They are the ones that can handle the rigorous task of transporting your items in extensive international travel.
Freight Forwarders Aren’t Accountable for Delays in Shipping
While it is true that freight forwarding companies do their best to ensure that your goods arrive safely and timely, this doesn’t mean that delays don’t occur at all. In most cases, these delays might be caused by bad weather. In other times, they could be a result of conflicts in the port or sudden mechanical breakdown of the carriers. Abrupt changes in route may also play a factor in the delay.
In any of these situations, delays can be expected. However, they go beyond the control of these freight forwarders. They are factors that are no longer within the intended picture of these forwarding companies. But at the very least, you can guarantee that they are doing their best to resolve the issues and ensure the arrival of your cargo on the earliest date possible.
Clients Should Have a Cordial Relationship With Their Freight Forwarders
Freight forwarders serve as the linkage between shippers and their targeted receivers. Because of this, it is evident that they are playing a crucial role in the management and handling of shipments, which are all vital aspects of businesses throughout the globe.
This is also a testament that clients should always maintain a respectful working relationship with their freight forwarders. It will add assurance that your items will be properly taken care of. At the same time, this also serves as a reminder that you have to choose a trustworthy freight forwarder. They should be able to provide optimal customer service so that you can guarantee that your cargo is properly taken care of.
It Is Essential That You Have an Updated Paperwork
Clients are also required to ensure that they have updated paperwork. Before you leave your cargo in the full custody of your freight forwarder, you have to secure the completeness of the documents relating to its transport. Of course, freight forwarders can assist you on this matter. However, it’s important that you also have a degree of supervision over it.
By knowing the contents of the paperwork, you will reduce the possible complications that your item will encounter in customs. It would also streamline the process of fund release by the bank. If there are delays in the customs or bank, it will affect your business negatively.
Freight Forwarders Don’t Carry Specific Products
Freight forwarders are always compliant with the stringent regulations imposed by international shipping laws. Because of this, you can expect that there are certain products and items that they will refuse to carry over. The type of prohibited items varies from one country to another. However, the most common ones are the following:
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Dangerous objects (i.e., toxic items and flammable liquid)
- Batteries
- Sharp materials
- Perishable goods (except for those under special express delivery)
You should contact your freight forwarder to know whether or not your cargos are within the restrictions of your destination country. If it is the case, then you will have to find other means to ship your items.
Conclusion
These are some of the vital information that you just need to know about freight forwarders. Keeping these things in mind will eventually help you find a reliable freight forwarding company for your business. As a shipper, it is your responsibility to get the most reputable and reliable freight forwarder for your company.